NA relies on the “therapeutic value of one addict helping another.” Nonmembers are asked not to share in meetings, though some groups may allow brief participation during NA birthday or anniversary celebrations.

Members are usually asked to share only once per meeting, mindful of the meeting’s time limitations. Many meetings ask members to limit sharing to five minutes or less.

Members are also encouraged to avoid “crosstalk,” which means we share our own experiences instead of responding to other members. Individuals can have conversations before or after meetings.

Some groups ask members to refrain from sharing explicit details and descriptions of drugs and using in meetings, and to focus instead on how addiction and recovery have affected us.

Newcomers are generally encouraged to focus on listening, but they are welcome to share during the participation portion of the meeting.

Newcomers are encouraged to listen closely to identify experienced members they can relate to who might make good sponsors or friends, or offer other guidance and support.
–Excerpt from “”An Introduction to NA Meetings.”

I want to find out more info about NA for my relative or my job or my class, but I’m not an addict. Can I attend a meeting? Elijah Barnes
2018-01-19T06:07:19+00:00

Our program of recovery begins with abstinence from all drugs, including alcohol. Sometimes people come to NA meetings while still using drugs, detoxing from drugs, or on drug replacement therapy. Regardless of what you may be taking when you first come to NA, you are welcome. –Excerpt from “An Introduction to NA meetings.”

I’m an alcoholic. Can NA help me? Elijah Barnes
2018-01-19T06:18:00+00:00

We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your connections were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help … Thinking of alcohol as different from other drugs has caused a great many addicts to relapse. Before we came to NA, many of us viewed alcohol separately, but we cannot afford to be confused about this. Alcohol is a drug. We are people with the disease of addiction who must abstain from all drugs in order to recover. –Excerpt from “White Booklet.”

Are your steps different from other fellowships? Elijah Barnes
2018-01-19T06:17:21+00:00

Our program of recovery begins with abstinence from all drugs, including alcohol… Newer members often have questions about prescribed medications. We encourage you to read NA literature including the Basic Text and the booklet In Times of Illness, which will explain NA’s approach to recovery. –Excerpt from “An Introduction to NA Meetings.”

We make a distinction between drugs used by drug replacement programs and other prescribed drugs because such drugs are prescribed specifically as addiction treatment. Our program approaches recovery from addiction through abstinence, cautioning against the substitution of one drug for another. That’s our program; it’s what we offer the addict who still suffers. However, we have absolutely no opinion on methadone maintenance or any other program aimed at treating addiction. Our only purpose in addressing drug replacement and its use by our members is to define abstinence for ourselves. –Excerpt from Bulletin #29 “Regarding Methadone and Other Drug Replacement Programs.”

Our program of recovery begins with abstinence from all drugs, including DRT/MAT drugs. Regardless of what you may be taking when you first come to NA, you are welcome.